Congratulations to the 2026 Winners
IESLA is proud to recognize this year’s outstanding student designers and their luminaire concepts.
First Place
Steven Jara
Woodbury University
“Sands of Time”
Second Place
Lindsay Onofre
USC
“Carved by Tide”
Third Place
Deborah Kang
USC
“Mirage”
Honorable Mentions
$200 Awards
- Irene Bang
Cal State – Long Beach
“Selah” - Isabella Drag
USC
“Oceanscape” - Aina Endo
USC
“Where the Sun Goes” - Chloe Kaplan Kristensen
USC
“Bloom” - Andrea Sanchez Rodriguez
Woodbury
“Forever Ephemeral”
Fan Favorites
Tie · $250 Awards
- Aina Endo
USC
“Where the Sun Goes” - Wally Kelly
Otis
“Best By 10/10/26”
Announcing the Lesley Wheel Memorial Award 2026!
Objectives
This year the IESLA is excited for students to design a table lamp inspired by the natural environment of Southern California. Click here to download the brief for technical info and submission requirements.
Award
A total of up to $15,000 will be awarded to the top submissions. Judging will be by well-known lighting/product designers and architects in the community.
The Kit
The lighting manufacturer Tivoli has generously donated kits this year. The LED tapelight is RGBW (color changing!).
Judging Criteria
Each entry will be judged on the following criteria:
- Creativity
- Successful execution in creating a tabletop lamp, integrating the provided light source
- Appropriate material selection
- Clarity of Design Statement and elevation drawings
Timeline
December 2025 – Competition for 2026 launches. Online registration opens on IESLA website
January 1 – April 3, 2026 - Luminaire Kits will be dropped off at local universities
January 1 - May 2026 - Let your imagination run wild! Design, design, design!
May 11-12, 2026 - Submissions due. Drop off location TBD
Judging Event - May 13, 2026 - Final Judging event at the Helms Atrium in Culver City.
June 26, 2026 - Award winners invited to Lumen West Awards (Southern California Illumination Awards).
Location: Skirball Cultural Center
Registration
There is no charge to register. All registration forms must be submitted by April 3, 2026. The competition is open to all enrolled students in graduate, 4-year, and 2-year programs in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. Register here »
Thank you for your interest in the IESLA Luminaire Design Competition – Lesley Wheel Memorial Award for 2025-2026! Please reach out to Competition Chairperson Colleen Peach (colleenpeach.cp@gmail.com) or Duncan Johns (duncan@seanoconnorlighting.com) with any questions.
Who is Lesley Wheel?
Lesley Wheel (1929-2004) was a pioneering lighting designer who trained in theater lighting and production. After eight years in theater design, she discovered her calling for architecture. She was the first woman to practice lighting design full time. In 1961 she co-founded the firm Wheel-Garon. She was the founder and board member of the Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education. Since its inception the fund has given $1.7 million dollars to support lighting education in North America. One of her most notable projects is Union Station in Los Angeles. The IES Los Angeles is happy to keep her name and spirit alive by continuing this award program for the next generation.
2026 IESLA Program & Events Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
